Packers Face ‘Must-Win’ Seahawks in NFL Betting Opener

The Seattle Seahawks are going for broke and the Green Bay Packers will have a firsthand experience when the two teams meet in week 1 of NFL betting. Seattle acquired defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson from the New York Jets in exchange for wide receiver Jermaine Kearse and a 2018 second-round draft pick on Friday, thus putting the final touches on a murderer’s row of a defensive line that also includes Michael Bennett, Cliff Avril, and Frank Clark. For the ‘Hawks, its Super Bowl or bust.

Date: Sunday, September 10th

Time: 4:25 PM

Venue: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Sportsbook Online NFL Betting Odds:

Seahawks +3 (-101) 50 (-110) +140

Packers -3 (-119) 50 (-110) -160

Put Kearse in a hearse

Joey’s dad’s indictment of Kareem Abdul Jabbar in Airplane (“you don’t really try, except during the playoffs”) could also apply to Jermaine Kearse. However, when he was on he was “responsible for some of the most important plays in franchise history” as ESPN’s Brady Henderson writes. But even the mighty fall, and now there is a good chance that Kearse could end up in that boneyard known as the Cleveland Browns. Let it not be said that the Seahawks aren’t grateful, though.

On the other hand, Richardson is expected to take an already stacked defensive line to a new level – a Super Bowl level. Seattle was tied for third in the league in sacks last season with 42 even though Bennett missed five games. Meanwhile, Richardson has 18 sacks in four season. In other words, the ‘Hawks were great in the sack and now they’re going to be even better.

The Seahawks have lost two thirds of their last 12 games versus the Packers and are 2-6-2 against the spread in their last 10 meetings with Green Bay. The NFL betting total has gone over in four of Seattle’s last six games against the Packers.

The elephant in the room

The Packers’ defense may not make them NFL betting favorites, but it’s pretty damn good nonetheless, especially with the inclusion of veteran outside linebacker Ahmad Brooks – who signed a one-year deal on Sunday. Brooks has 333 tackles, 51½ sacks, 11 forced fumbles and three interceptions in 120 regular season games in his eight-year career. “He can play very well versus the run, associate head coach/linebackers coach Winston Moss said of Green Bay’s new acquisition. “He can play stout versus the tight end. He can do everything that we would ask him to do in our scheme.

“He can play to the tight end side or the open end side. He can play the outside linebacker position. He can play the elephant. If he were to be placed on our roster … he could come right in and fit right in.”

The Packers are 5-0 straight-up in their last five times hosting the ‘Hawks and 4-0-1 against the spread in that same period. The NFL betting total has gone over in five of the Packers’ last seven home games versus Seattle.